A Pillar - Creaking Noise

Article No.
96-15-10

07/15/96

NOISE - "CREAKING" NOISE FROM A-PILLAR AREA WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND/OR TURNING - VEHICLES BUILT FROM 1/1/96 THROUGH 4/15/96

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996 TOWN CAR

ISSUE:
A "creaking" noise may be heard from the A-pillar area while driving over bumps and/or turning. This may be caused by the RH cowl reinforcement bracket coming in contact with the foot of the A-pillar post during body flexing.

ACTION:
Move the reinforcement bracket out of the way of the A-pillar foot. This should reduce the possibility of noise caused by contact. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

If a "creaking" noise from the RH A-pillar area while driving over bumps and/or turning is the customer concern, determine if this TSB applies.

Open the passenger door fully and lift up on and push down on the door. If the noise cannot be duplicated, this TSB does not apply. If the noise can be duplicated, continue with the following Steps.

1. Remove the instrument panel as outlined in the 1996 Town Car Service Manual.





2. Pull back the Noise!Vibration/Harshness (NVH) pad to gain access to the RH side cowl and A-pillar area. Figure 1.

3. Look inside the A-pillar at where the A-pillar and cowl meet.





4. Locate the hood hinge reinforcement (welded to the interior of the cowl) and see if it is touching the foot of the A-pillar. Figure 2.

5. If there is contact, separate the two pieces by inserting a screwdriver between the two pieces and spreading them apart.

6. Verify concern is corrected.

7. Reinstall the NVH pad and instrument panel as outlined in the 1996 Town Car Service Manual.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

961510A Adjust Reinforcement 3.8 Hr.
Bracket

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
5402012 36

OASIS CODES: 111000, 702000, 702100, 702300